The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Jamaica will, at its Civic and Business Leadership Awards and Gala at the Jamaica Pegasus on October 21, honour former Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) President William Mahfood, as it marks its thirtieth year of existence.

In a release from AmCham Jamaica, the organisation said that Mahfood is being recognised in part for leading the Wisynco Group of Companies as chairman, as well for being a “business icon and philanthropist whose national service has spanned the private and public sectors”.

Applauding the honoree’s work, AmCham Jamaica President Ron McKay spoke highly of Mahfood’s outstanding qualities and achievements in leadership – including his core values, ingenuity, knowledge and foresight – which have contributed positively to Jamaican communities and Brand Jamaica. He added that Mahfood’s leadership in Wisynco has “ instilled passion and resilience in the Wisynco team, which has led to the company’s tremendous success and sense of commitment and perseverance, especially in times of difficulties and challenges.

“William Mahfood has throughout the years demonstrated true leadership and has effectively established partnerships, while collaborating successfully with other people and organisations as well as across sectors. Just recently, after the Wisynco factory went up in flames, William was able to secure the jobs of all his employees during the rebuilding process. This showed his strength and compassion as a leader and as a Jamaican, which makes him the perfect candidate for this award,” McKay is quoted in the release.

Mahfood served as president of the PSOJ for two years before his resignation in June of this year, indicating his desire to completely focus on the rebuilding process at Wisynco following the fire. As the head of the PSOJ he was also strident in his calls for trade equity between Jamaica and her Caricom counterparts, in particular Trinidad and Tobago, and was part of discussions between both the Jamaican and Trinidadian governments to resolve an impasse on this matter.

In addition to his activism in the business community, Mahfood also serves as a director on the board of Food for the Poor Jamaica. As such he is hailed by AmCham Jamaica not only as the epitome of leadership and philanthropy, but also as a patriotic Jamaican who has the nation’s interests and community upliftment at heart, evidenced by his service to the Shaggy Foundation, the Energy Sector Enterprise Team, Crime Stop and Laws Street Trade training Centre.

He also serves on the boards of BCW Holdings Ltd and Jamaica National Building Society.

This year’s AmCham Civic and Business Leadership Awards and Gala will be held under the theme “Passport to the World”, and will celebrate small and large companies that contribute to corporate social responsibility, civic leadership and arts and culture.

Last year, Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was bestowed with a special award for her contribution to Brand Jamaica, after which AmCham Jamaica partnered with Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation for the premiere of the movie

Race. Part proceeds were given to the foundation for providing academic scholarships and other assistance to student athletes and youngsters in children’s homes.